Curved Air 70s gigs
I believe that the bands that you see when you are young shape your musical tastes for the rest of life. Curved Air are one of those bands for me. I first saw them at Newcastle City Hall in 1971, and was mesmerised by them in many different ways. Their mix of classical music, folk and electronic sounds was quite unique, Sonja Kristina was just stunning on stage, and the musicianship of Darryl Way on violin and Francis Monkman on moog synthesiser was outstanding. And they had great songs: the hit single “Back Street Luv”, “Marie Antoinette”, the beautiful and haunting “Melinda (More or Less)”, their first single “It Happened Today”, and the set closer “Vivaldi” during which Daryl Way went wild with his electric violin. 
Support at that 1971 gig came from Irish band Skid Row, not to be confused with the American heavy rock band of the 80s. I’d seen the bluesy Skid Row a few months before in Sunderland Locarno, with the young Gary Moore on guitar (he just blew me away: I went home and practised and practised). However, by the time of this gig Gary had been replaced by Paul Chapman. Brush Sheils was the bass player and front man of Skid Row; his name coming from his big brush of hair. He sported a persplex bass and was totally crazy on stage: a real wild guy. I then saw Curved Air play a great set on the Friday night of the 1972 Reading Festival where they headlined over Genesis and Mungo Jerry. 
They came onstage late, around midnight by which time we were all sitting on the grass, waiting in the cold night. Their set was just amazing that night. Sonja sang those lovely songs over the evening mist, and brought the first night of the festival to a lovely end. From then on I saw Curved Air almost any and every time that they played in the North East. I remember gigs at Newcastle Mayfair, Newcastle Poly, Sunderland Poly and Durham Students Union. 
I recall Marie and I turning up at a sold out Freshers Ball at Teesside Poly one night and managing somehow to blag our way in to the hall (backhander to the doorman methinks). I saw them again at the City Hall in 1976. I think I may have seen them at Redcar Bowl. There were probably other gigs that I don’t remember; Curved Air played a lot in those days and must have been up and down the motorway playing Student Union dances most weekends. Over the years the line up changed (a lot). At one point local guy Eddie Jobson joined on violin. Jobson was a young and extremely talented multi-instrumentalist who I’d seen several times at Sunderland Locarno, playing in Hartlepool (or was it Peterlee?) band Fat Grapple. Fat Grapple were great, its a shame no recorded material of the band from that era exists. 
Along the way Stewart Copeland, who was to become Sonja’s husband and later of The Police, joined on drums, and Darryl Way returned to the fold. The one constant factor throughout that period was Sonja Kristina. I can picture her now, commanding the stage, top hat on her head and a cape around her shoulders, belting out Back Street Luv. 
Great nights. Can I go back there please? I’ve seen Curved Air a couple of times in recent years, at Holmfirth Picturedrome and at Glastonbury, and the magic is still there; for me anyway. Thanks to John for finding a signed 1971 programme on ebay for me, and for sending me an image of an early 70s poster (also bought on ebay; see scans).
13 Jun
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by Nicholas Sack on February 12, 2014 at 10:13 pm
I enjoyed your reminiscences of Curved Air, and agree that bands who made an impression in our teenage years can still wield an emotional power many decades later: Camel and Caravan do that for me. I remember being enthralled by Curved Air at Goldsmith’s College in London in the 1970s – and a few months ago I was thrilled by their performance at the small Beaverwood Club in Chislehurst. Apart from Sonja, the excellent drummer, Florian Pilkington-Miksa, remains from the original line-up.
Posted by madge on October 12, 2014 at 10:33 pm
Where was I ? Cannot believe that all these great bands were playing in mu neck of the woods. Seriously I had moved to London in the early 70s
Nick Pickett was and still is a good friend. You mention Camel, did you know Nick used to play support to them. But why no mention of Coatham hotel and the other great venue Kirklevington country club. Keep up the support. Madge
Posted by vintagerock on October 13, 2014 at 7:24 am
Many thanks for your support Madge. Aah… The Redcar Jazz club at the Coatham Hotel, and the Kirk. Both legendary venues, and sadly I was just that bit too young to be able to get there (before I could drive). I did go to lots of gigs at the Coatham Bowl, and one or two at the Kirk, but not in the great days of the late 60s and early 70s. Cheers Peter
Posted by Nicholas Sack on October 13, 2014 at 8:42 am
Well, Madge, you are quite definitely psychic because I was bopping to Curved Air’s ‘Back Street Love’ on YouTube last night, and now this morning your message… Florian Pilkington-Miksa, the drummer, was schooled at Eton, and my pal Bill said with a glorious name like that it’s no wonder he chose music over sport. And what a lovely coincidence, your knowing Nick Pickett. Back in the late 1970s I was the drummer in a band called Dogwatch and we used to hire Nick as the support act (acoustic guitar and attractive voice) on special occasions. We played pubs in east London: the Cart & Horses at Stratford, the Ruskin Arms in East Ham, the legendary Bridge House in Canning Town – and the east end was Nick’s turf, too. I recall him living above a shop in Leytonstone High Road; haven’t seen him for donkey’s years, but his beautiful warm and placid personality made a big impression. Please say a hearty hello to him, Madge – from Nick.
Posted by vintagerock on October 13, 2014 at 8:46 am
Great memories Nick happy days. Many thanks indeed Peter
Posted by Steve on January 4, 2016 at 10:10 pm
Before the 1971 Newcastle City Hall gig there was an amazing Curved Air gig at the Mayfair. I’m sure they were headlining or maybe Black Sabbath were and pulled out! Ricotti & Albuquerque and Medicine Head were supporting. I was 12 years old and yes the experience did form my musical tastes and lifelong interest in good music. Thanks to my older cousin for taking me along!!!
Posted by vintagerock on January 5, 2016 at 7:03 am
Happy days Steve Cheers Peter
Posted by Stephen Ratcliffe on September 11, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Thanks Peter. I am still trying to find the poster to that concert at the Mayfair. It was fluorescent yellow with orange or black writing with just the names of the bands playing. Anyone got one?
Posted by vintagerock on September 11, 2023 at 1:39 pm
Wish I could help you Stephen! Would love to see it if you locate one. Happy days Peter
Posted by Mike on November 12, 2019 at 2:59 pm
I saw Curved Air in Liverpool (Mountford Hall). They were support to Black Sabbath – as soon as they finished their set we all left Ozzie to it.
Remember the coloured vinyl album.
I have a couple of pics from the concert if you want them.
Posted by Stephen Ratcliffe on February 11, 2024 at 4:17 pm
Hi Mike, believe it or not I’ve just read your reply (must have been the Covid years!) I would love to see them! Steve
Posted by Mike Keating on February 12, 2024 at 11:04 am
Hi Steve Found two photos – hope you find a use for them. Mike
Sent from my iPad
>
Posted by normanpartington on August 4, 2025 at 9:49 pm
Hi Mike
This is the only reference I can find online about Black Sabbath having played the Mountford Hall in Liverpool, yet I did see them there, and my diary for 1971 says it was 23rd January. They were supported by Curved Air. And yet in the records it says they were at Leeds University that day. I’m sure that’s wrong. Let’s put the record straight!
Thanks,
Norman Partington
Posted by Roland Clare on May 16, 2023 at 5:02 pm
It’s so sad to read of the death of Curved Air’s Francis Monkman (May 2023). There’s a long interview he gave to the Procol Harum website — https://procolharum.com/99/afkm1.htm — that might be worth reading for the insight it offers into FM’s detailed, challenging and wonderfully eclectic thinking about music.
Posted by vintagerock on May 16, 2023 at 5:31 pm
Thanks for sharing Roland.Sad news. Peter